There are so many parks in London, England; big and small, famous and not so well known that it would take a long time to list them all. Below you will find the parks that have much more to offer than just trees and open space. A visit to London would be incomplete without taking a walk through one of the parks. We hope that this Best Parks in London post inspires you.
Open from 5 am to Midnight.
Hyde Park is one of the Royal Parks owned by the monarchy and is perhaps most famous for Speakers Corner which is located at the northeast end of the park near Marble Arch, go there on a Sunday to hear the people's passionate speeches! Boating is available on the Serpentine Lake from March-October. London's Holocaust Memorial garden can be found East of the lake, just beyond the dam and South of the Serpentine Lake is the Diana, Princess of Wales memorial fountain. You will also find a bird sanctuary and on a Sunday afternoon in the summer, you can listen to a concert at the bandstand.
Open from 6 am to dusk.
Known affectionately as Vicky Park by locals this East End park has a range of activities to do in the summer. Watch cricket being played in the summer evenings or have your own game of cricket using the free three-lane cricket net provided. Victoria Park is also home to the oldest model boat club, founded in 1904. It is still active today and holds up to 17 Sunday regattas a year, the first Regatta is traditionally held on Easter Sunday whilst the Steam Regatta is always held on the first Sunday of July.
Open from 6 am to dusk
Originally part of Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens was separated in name (you can't tell where one begins and the other ends!) in 1728. It covers 260 acres and is the setting for Kensington Palace. It has many things to see including a charming bronze statue of Peter Pan, and a partially hollow tree stump called the Elfin Oak with figures of fairies, elves, and small animals carved into the wood. There is also the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Playground for kids up to age 12 and a seven-mile Memorial Walk that goes through Hyde Park, Green Park, and St James's Park.
Open from 7.30 am to dusk
You can take a trip to the countryside without actually leaving London in this Royal Park. Covering 2,500 acres with a landscape of hills and rolling grassland you can see St Paul's Cathedral 12 miles away from the highest point. The main park of Richmond Park is home to herds of roaming fallow and red deer and has been designated as a National Nature Reserve and Site of Special Scientific Interest. The Isabella Plantation, a beautiful woodland area is home to a range of flora and fauna including the national collection of azaleas and rhododendrons.
Open from 6 am.
With stunning views across the River Thames to the City of London and the Docklands Greenwich Park has much more to offer than just trees and a walk in an open space. Covering 73 hectares (183 acres) the parkland has an area enclosed area for deer called The Wilderness and is famous for being bisected by the Greenwich meridian line. It is home to several historic buildings and museums The Old Royal Observatory, the Old Royal Naval College, the National Maritime Museum, and the Queen's House, home of Queen Anne, wife of King James I.
Open from 5 am to Midnight.
The oldest Royal Park in London and the first to be opened to the public St James Park is home to the Mall and surrounded by three palaces, one being, of course, Buckingham Palace, and is often the setting for ceremonial and state celebrations and parades. Covering 23 hectares (58 acres) the park has a lake, which was once a canal, and is home to many ducks, geese, and pelicans with Duck Island and West Island being nesting sites for the different waterfowl.
Open from 5 am to dusk.
Home to London Zoo, this park covers 166 hectares (410 acres) with open parkland and formal gardens including rose gardens featuring 400 different varieties. Regents Park features an open-air theatre which is open May-September and bandstands with lunchtime and evening concerts. Marylebone Park as it was once known also has a boating lake home to herons and many other birds and waterfowl as well as St John's Lodge and The Holme which are original buildings from the park's first conception.
Open from 6:30 am until 10:30 pm.
Battersea Park is a 175-acre park situated on the south bank of the River Thames, offering a green oasis in the heart of Chelsea. Battersea Park is popular for its boating lake, landscaped gardens, and children's playgrounds. Visitors can enjoy picnicking on the lawns, cycling through the park, or simply relaxing and enjoying the scenery. Battersea Park is also a popular spot for picnics and barbecues.
Open 24/7, year-round.
The 800-acre park of Hampstead Heath is a wild and beautiful escape on the edge of London. Hampstead Heath offers stunning views of the city skyline, as well as a variety of landscapes, from rolling hills and woodlands to ponds and meadows. Visitors can enjoy hiking, swimming in the Hampstead Heath ponds, or simply soaking up the atmosphere at Parliament Hill, the highest point in London.
Open from 8:00 am to 10:30 pm.
The 1,100-acre Bushy Park in Richmond is a hidden gem, perfect for a tranquil escape. Discover its formal gardens, ancient woodlands, and diverse wildlife, including deer, muntjacs, and foxes.
Open from 5 am to midnight.
The 53-acre Green Park is a small but charming oasis in the heart of Mayfair. Green Park is a popular spot for lunch breaks and picnics, offering a welcome break from the busy streets around it. Visitors can enjoy relaxing on the lawns, playing chess, or simply taking a stroll through the park's quiet paths.
We hope that this Best Parks in London post inspires you. Happy travels!
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These parks are surely going to provide a sense of calm to anyone. A slow paced walk to enjoy the views will provide much needed relaxation. I could sit on one of those park benches all day and just enjoy the weather and the beauty around me. Kensington Gardens is high up on my bucket list. I have to make sure I visit the place at least once in my lifetime!
What a great list. I hope to get back to London sometime, especially now that my teenager is old enough to enjoy the trip!
I have seen photos of Kensington Park and it does look lovely! I would love to have a chance to explore it someday. The other parks in the list seem to be pretty too. For me, nothing is more relaxing than a casual stroll through a lovely park or sitting on a park bench with a good book in hand.
It seems everywhere I turn, there is something about London. I would really love to visit. Not only are the structures beautiful, but the pictures you shared of the parks are very peaceful as well.
I love going to parks and never thought of making that part of the “must see” list. If I ever get to go to London, they will definitely be on my list for sure.
I want to visit Victoria and Hyde Park! It absolutely looks gorgeous!
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